Leakproof undergarments

ABSTRACT

An undergarment for use with an absorbent pad is disclosed. The undergarment includes: a main body including at least an exterior fabric layer, an interior fabric layer, and a substantially waterproof layer interposed between the exterior and interior fabric layers, wherein the main body defines: a front body portion; a rear body portion; and a crotch portion coupling the front and rear body portions; and an elastic compression strip coupled to the crotch portion on an interior side of the main body, the compression strip and the crotch portion defining an opening therebetween such that at least a portion of the absorbent pad is insertable into the opening for securing the absorbent pad in pressing engagement against the crotch portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to articles of clothing and, inparticular, to undergarments that are designed to facilitate use withabsorbent pads.

BACKGROUND

A wide range of absorbent items may be worn in underwear to absorb flowof bodily fluids and prevent leakage. For example, a sanitary pad (ormenstrual pad) may be worn by women in the underwear when menstruating,bleeding after giving birth, or in other situations where it isnecessary to absorb flow of blood from the vagina. Sanitary pads may bedisposable or reusable (e.g., cloth pads may be washable and/orreusable).

It is desirable to provide undergarments that facilitate use withabsorbent pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanyingdrawings which show example embodiments of the present application andin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example undergarment in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and rear views of the example undergarment ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an interior side of the example undergarment ofFIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the interior side of theexample undergarment of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example use of an absorbent pad with theexample undergarment of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the example undergarment of FIG. 1 when worn by auser.

Like reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote like elementsand features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In an aspect, the present disclosure describes an undergarment for usewith an absorbent pad. The undergarment includes: a main body includingat least an exterior fabric layer, an interior fabric layer, and asubstantially waterproof layer interposed between the exterior andinterior fabric layers, wherein the main body defines: a front bodyportion; a rear body portion; and a crotch portion coupling the frontand rear body portions; and an elastic compression strip coupled to thecrotch portion on an interior side of the main body, the compressionstrip and the crotch portion defining an opening therebetween such thatat least a portion of the absorbent pad is insertable into the openingfor securing the absorbent pad in pressing engagement against the crotchportion.

In some implementations, the compression strip may be coupled to theinterior side of the main body by sewing, heat bonding, or gluing.

In some implementations, a first end of the compression strip may becoupled to the front body portion and a second end of the compressionstrip may be coupled to the rear body portion, the second end beingopposite to the first end.

In some implementations, a width of the compression strip may benarrower than a width of the crotch portion.

In some implementations, the compression strip may at least partiallyoverlap the crotch portion.

In some implementations, the compression strip may be centrally disposedrelative to the crotch portion such that the compression strip does notoverlap at least part of the crotch portion.

In some implementations, the compression strip may be constructed fromat least one of synthetic fiber, cotton, bamboo, or modal fabric.

In some implementations, a length of the compression strip may bebetween 1 and 4 inches.

In some implementations, the crotch portion may include a substantiallywaterproof fabric layer.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a pair of outerwearpants. The pair of outerwear pants includes: leggings defining a crotchportion; and an elastic compression strip coupled to the crotch portionon an interior side of the leggings, the compression strip and thecrotch portion defining an opening therebetween such that at least aportion of an absorbent pad is insertable into the opening for securingthe absorbent pad in pressing engagement against the crotch portion.

Other example embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the followingdetailed descriptions in conjunction with the drawings.

The widespread use of reusable sanitary pads has increased the demandfor undergarments that are compatible for use with sanitary pads (aswell as other types of pads, such as incontinence pads). Typically,extra protective clothing is worn when using a sanitary pad because thepad may be subject to shifting and twisting as a result of bodymovements of the wearer. The burden of having to wear additionalarticles of clothing often deters people from participating in certaindaily activities, such as exercise.

The present application discloses solutions that are designed toovercome the shortcomings of traditional undergarments in facilitatinguse with absorbent pads.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 , which is a perspective view of anexample undergarment 100. The undergarment 100 is designed for use withone or more absorbent pads, such as sanitary pads, incontinence pads,and the like. The undergarment 100 comprises a main body. The main bodyincludes at least an exterior fabric layer, an interior fabric layer,and a substantially waterproof layer that is interposed between theexterior and interior fabric layers. More specifically, at least partsof the main body of the undergarment 100 may comprise three differentlayers of fabric. The multiple layers of fabric provide protectionagainst fluid leakage when the undergarment 100 is worn by a wearer.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the main body includes a front body portion110 and a rear body portion 120. The front body portion 110substantially corresponds to a front part of a wearer's body and therear body portion 120 substantially corresponds to a rear part of thewearer's body when the undergarment 100 is worn. That is, theundergarment 100 is designed to be worn such that the front body portion110 at least partially covers a front part (e.g., groin) of the wearer'sbody and the rear body portion 120 at least partially covers a rear part(e.g., buttocks) of the wearer's body.

The main body also includes a crotch portion 130. The crotch portion 130couples the front body portion 110 and the rear body portion 120. Morespecifically, the crotch portion 130 extends between the front bodyportion 110 to the rear body portion 120 such that the front bodyportion 110 and the rear body portion 120 are connected, i.e., the frontand rear body portions are part of a unitary construction. The frontbody portion 110, the rear body portion 120, and the crotch portion 130define openings 180 through which legs of the wearer can be insertedwhen the undergarment 100 is worn.

In at least some embodiments, the crotch portion 130 includes asubstantially waterproof fabric layer. For example, the crotch portion130 may include an outer fabric layer, an inner fabric layer, and awaterproof fabric layer interposed between the outer and inner fabriclayers. In some embodiments, only the crotch portion 130 may include thewaterproof fabric layer. That is, the main body may substantiallycomprise two layers (i.e., an outer fabric layer and an inner fabriclayer) with the exception of the crotch portion 130 which may comprisethree layers (including the waterproof fabric layer).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 , which shows an interior side 200 ofthe main body of the undergarment 100. The interior side 200 is a sideof the undergarment 100 that contacts the wearer's skin when theundergarment 100 is worn. The interior side 200 includes a front bodyportion interior 210, a rear body portion interior 220, and a crotchportion interior 230.

FIG. 3 also shows a compression strip 250. The compression strip 250 isa strip of fabric that is coupled to the crotch portion 130 on theinterior side 200. In at least some embodiments, the compression strip250 is sewn into the interior side 200 of the main body. For example, afirst end 250 a of the compression strip 250 may be coupled (e.g., bysewing) to the front body portion interior 210 and a second end 250 b(opposite to the first end 250 a) of the compression strip 250 may becoupled to the rear body portion interior 220. In some embodiments, thecompression strip 250 may be coupled to the main body by othertechniques. For example, the first end 250 a and second end 250 b may becoupled to the front body portion interior 210 and rear body portioninterior 220, respectively, by heat bonding, gluing, or the like.

In at least some embodiments, the compression strip 250 may beconstructed from finished materials such as compression bands or amixture comprising at least one of synthetic fiber, cotton, bamboo,modal fabric, and the like. The compression strip 250 may have a lengthin the range of 1 to 4 inches. In particular, the compression strip 250may be at least 1 inch but no more than 4 inches along its length (i.e.,distance between the first end 250 a and the second end 250 b).

The compression strip 250 is elastic. In particular, the compressionstrip 250 may be deformed to be pulled away from the crotch portioninterior 230. When the compression strip 250 is disposed in spacedrelation to the crotch portion interior 230 (for example, by pulling orlifting the compression strip 250 away from the main body), thecompression strip 250 and the crotch portion 130 define an opening 240therebetween (as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

The compression strip 250 may at least partially overlap the crotchportion interior 230. In some embodiments, the width of the compressionstrip 250 may be narrower than a width of the crotch portion interior230. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the compression strip 250 may becentrally disposed relative to the crotch portion interior 230 such thatthe compression strip 250 does not overlap at least part of the crotchportion interior 230. That is, at least a portion of the crotch portioninterior 230 may remain uncovered by the compression strip 250.

The opening 240 (illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B) represents a spacebetween the compression strip 250 and the crotch portion interior 230through which parts of an absorbent pad can be inserted. In at leastsome embodiments, an absorbent pad (e.g., a sanitary pad) may includewings or tabs that are foldable. The wings/tabs of an absorbent pad maybe partially inserted into the opening 240. In particular, thewings/tabs may be folded and inserted into the opening 240 to secure theabsorbent pad 270 in pressing engagement against the crotch portioninterior 230.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, an example arrangement of an absorbent pad 270 withthe undergarment 100 is illustrated. The absorbent pad 270 may havewings/tabs that are foldable. The wings/tabs may be secured to eachother, or the wings/tabs may be attached to the compression strip 250for securing the absorbent pad 270 to the compression strip 250. Thewings/tabs are inserted in the opening 240 that is defined between thecrotch portion interior 230 and the compression strip 250. Morespecifically, the absorbent pad 270 may be disposed on an exterior sideof the compression strip 250 and the wings/tabs of the absorbent pad 270may be inserted into the opening 240 such that the wings/tabs aresecured to each other and/or attached to the compression strip 250 on aninterior side (i.e., the side of the compression strip 250 facing thecrotch portion interior 230) of the compression strip 250.

As mentioned above, the compression strip 250 may be sewn (orheat-bonded, glued, etc.) to couple the compression strip 250 to thecrotch portion 130 (specifically, the crotch portion interior 230).Seams 235, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, serve to limit the movement ofthe absorbent pad 270 once it is secured to the compression strip 250.In particular, the location of the seams 235 may limit longitudinalmovement of the wings/tabs of the absorbent pad 270 relative to thecompression strip 250. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the compressionstrip 250 (and more specifically, first and second ends of thecompression strip 250) may be sewn to the front and rear body portioninteriors of the undergarment 100. The resulting seams 235 and 235′limit the longitudinal movement of the wings/tabs of the absorbent pad270, thereby limiting shifting of the absorbent pad 270 due to bodymovement of the wearer when the undergarment 100 is worn. The locationof the seams 235 on the front body portion interior 210 and the locationof the seams 235′ on the rear body portion interior 220 delimit theboundaries for longitudinal movement of the wing/tabs of the absorbentpad 270. The seams 235 and 235′ can be positioned closer to each otheralong the crotch portion 130 to decrease the degree of freedom oflongitudinal movement of the absorbent pad 270, or they can bepositioned farther from each other to increase the degree of freedom oflongitudinal movement of the absorbent pad 270.

It will be understood that the arrangement of the compression strip 250and crotch portion interior 230, as described with respect toundergarment 100, can be generalized to other types of clothing, such asbike shorts, yoga pants, training pants, boxer briefs, trunk briefs,boxer shorts, and briefs. That is, the disclosed mechanism for securingan absorbent pad to a crotch portion may be applicable to variousdifferent types of clothing having a defined crotch section. As aspecific example, a pair of outerwear pants may include leggings thatdefine a crotch portion. The pair of outerwear pants may be configuredto include a compression strip that can be coupled to the crotch portionon an interior side of the leggings. The compression strip may beelastic, i.e., deformable. The compression strip and the crotch portionmay define a space, or opening, therebetween such that at least aportion of an absorbent pad may be inserted into the space for securingthe absorbent pad in pressing engagement against the crotch portion.

Certain types of loungewear or outerwear pants may comprise an innerbrief underwear that is coupled to an interior of the pants (by sewing,heat-bonding, gluing, etc.). The inner brief underwear may be formed inaccordance with disclosed embodiments of the present application. Inparticular, the loungewear/outerwear pants may comprise a single pieceof garment that integrates a leakproof undergarment portion in itsinterior.

The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are inno way meant to limit the scope of this application. Variations of theinnovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinaryskill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of thepresent application. In particular, features from one or more of theabove-described example embodiments may be selected to createalternative example embodiments including a sub-combination of featureswhich may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features fromone or more of the above-described example embodiments may be selectedand combined to create alternative example embodiments including acombination of features which may not be explicitly described above.Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would bereadily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of thepresent application as a whole. The subject matter described herein andin the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changesin technology.

1. An undergarment for use with an absorbent pad, the undergarmentcomprising: a main body including at least an exterior fabric layer, aninterior fabric layer, and a substantially waterproof layer interposedbetween the exterior and interior fabric layers, wherein the main bodydefines: a front body portion; a rear body portion; and a crotch portioncoupling the front and rear body portions; and an elastic compressionstrip coupled to the crotch portion on an interior side of the mainbody, the compression strip and the crotch portion defining an openingtherebetween such that at least a portion of the absorbent pad isinsertable into the opening for securing the absorbent pad in pressingengagement against the crotch portion.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1,wherein the compression strip is coupled to the interior side of themain body by sewing, heat bonding, or gluing.
 3. The undergarment ofclaim 1, wherein a first end of the compression strip is coupled to thefront body portion and a second end of the compression strip is coupledto the rear body portion, the second end being opposite to the firstend.
 4. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein a width of the compressionstrip is narrower than a width of the crotch portion.
 5. Theundergarment of claim 1, wherein the compression strip at leastpartially overlaps the crotch portion.
 6. The undergarment of claim 5,wherein the compression strip is centrally disposed relative to thecrotch portion such that the compression strip does not overlap at leastpart of the crotch portion.
 7. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein thecompression strip is constructed from at least one of synthetic fiber,cotton, bamboo, or modal fabric.
 8. The undergarment of claim 1, whereina length of the compression strip is between 1 and 4 inches.
 9. Theundergarment of claim 1, wherein the crotch portion includes asubstantially waterproof fabric layer.
 10. A pair of outerwear pants,comprising: leggings defining a crotch portion; and an elasticcompression strip coupled to the crotch portion on an interior side ofthe leggings, the compression strip and the crotch portion defining anopening therebetween such that at least a portion of an absorbent pad isinsertable into the opening for securing the absorbent pad in pressingengagement against the crotch portion.